Dog Dies On Flight While Stowed In Overhead Luggage

United Airlines has issued an apology

United Airlines has accepted full responsibility for the death of a puppy who was placed in the overhead luggage compartment during a flight, calling it a "tragic accident".

A young family is shattered after a flight attendant ordered them to leave their french bulldog in the luggage area during a four hour flight from Houston to New York, despite the fact that he was in a TSA approved carry-on kennel.

United Airlines policy states that "the kennel must fit completely under the seat in front of the customer and remain there at all times".

Fellow passengers have since reported hearing the dog bark at the beginning of the flight, but say he eventually stopped.

It was upon landing that they made the horrifying discovery that the dog had died.

The airline says its thoroughly investigating to prevent this from ever happening again, releasing the following statement:

This was a tragic accident that should never have occurred, as pets should never be placed in the overhead bin. We assume full responsibility for this tragedy and express our deepest condolences to the family and are committed to supporting them. We are thoroughly investigating what occurred to prevent this from ever happening again.